MONTREAL — Outfielder Ryan LaMarre drove in two runs with a two-out double in the top of the 10th inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 4-2 exhibition victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at Olympic Stadium.

LaMarre’s hit off the wall in right-center field scored Travis Shaw and Chris Young, who had each walked after Blue Jays reliever Pat McCoy got the first two hitters in the 10th to ground out.

The teams are scheduled to play a second exhibition game Saturday afternoon in Montreal to end spring training for both clubs.

The crowd of 52,682, many wanting to show Major League Baseball that Montreal is ready to have a team again after losing the Expos in 2004, saw a game with plenty of hits and some runs early but little more as managers substituted players freely.

Toronto’s Kevin Pillar got the crowd going when he led off the first by taking Steven Wright’s 2-1 pitch over the left field wall. Then London, Ontario, native Michael Saunders led off the second with a home run to center field.

The Red Sox got one back off Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ in the third when Mookie Betts doubled and, two batters later, scored on Xander Bogaerts’ ground out. Betts drove in Jackie Bradley Jr. with a single in the fifth off Joe Biajani.

The Blue Jays wasted a chance to score in the fourth when Saunders was tagged out while trying to stretch a single. Russell Martin was hit by a pitch and got to third on Justin Smoak’s double, but Ryan Goins ended the threat with a groundout.

Wright went five innings, surrendering seven hits and two earned runs but striking out eight.

The state must restore the $4,900-per-month pension that was taken away from former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky three years ago when he was sentenced to decades in prison on child molestation convictions, a court ordered Friday.

A Commonwealth Court panel ruled unanimously that the State Employees’ Retirement Board wrongly concluded Sandusky was a Penn State employee when he committed the crimes that were the basis for the pension forfeiture.

“The board conflated the requirements that Mr. Sandusky engage in ‘work relating to’ PSU and that he engage in that work ‘for’ PSU,” wrote Judge Dan Pellegrini. “Mr. Sandusky’s performance of services that benefited PSU does not render him a PSU employee.”

Sandusky, 71, collected a $148,000 lump sum payment upon retirement in 1999 and began receiving monthly payments of $4,900.

The board stopped those payments in October 2012 on the day Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 children. A jury found him guilty of 45 counts for offenses that ranged from fondling to violent sexual attacks. Some of the encounters happened inside university facilities.

The basis for the pension board’s decision was a provision in the state Pension Forfeiture Act that applies to “crimes related to public office or public employment,” and he was convicted of indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

The judges said the board’s characterization of Sandusky as a Penn State employee at the time those offenses occurred was erroneous, because he did not maintain an employer-employee relationship with the university after 1999.

The judges ordered the board to pay back interest and reinstated the pension retroactively, granting him about three years of makeup payments.

ATLANTA — Jordan Spieth treated the Tour Championship as if it were a major. He played like it was, too.

Looking for a fitting finish to a sensational season, Spieth poured in putts from all over East Lake and never gave Henrik Stenson or anyone else much of a chance Sunday. His final stroke was an 8-foot par putt that was right in the heart for a 1-under 69, and he leaned back with a smile of pure satisfaction.

The 22-year-old Texan became golf’s first $22 million man — a PGA Tour record with just over $12 million in prize money, and the $10 million bonus for the FedEx Cup.

“This is incredible,” Spieth said. “This is an event where we approach it like a major championship because we know this is possible at the end of it.”

Even when he missed back-to-back cuts to start the FedEx Cup playoffs, Spieth spent the month trying to peak for the most important event in the lucrative series. He was the first to show up at East Lake on Monday to start grinding on his game. And with a one-shot lead going into the final round Sunday, he was on the putting green three hours before his tee time for what caddie Michael Greller called the “early grind.”

“We only do this at the majors,” Greller said.

It all paid off so handsomely, especially that putter.

Spieth made three birdies in a four-hole stretch around the turn, and they were demoralizing for Stenson. Spieth made a 20-foot birdie on No. 8 for a two-shot swing that he never gave back. He made an 18-foot birdie on the par-5 ninth with Stenson already at tap-in range for birdie. And with Stenson just over three feet away for birdie on No. 11, Spieth curled in a 45-foot birdie putt.

“Eleven was a dagger,” Spieth said.

At that point, Stenson could only smile and bump fists with Spieth.

“You can’t expect him to make it,” Stenson said after a 72. “You’re feeling like you got a good chance to make up some ground. But he just poured that one in the middle. It’s fun to watch and just say, `Well done.’ The best player this week won the tournament, won the FedEx Cup.”

LONDON (AP) — Even as Serena Williams piled up aces and groundstroke winners from all angles, even as she stormed through seven games in a row and 10 of the last 13 in yet another comeback, her Wimbledon quarterfinal against Victoria Azarenka never felt like a runaway.

That’s because Azarenka, a two-time major champion and former No. 1 in her own right, was playing spectacular tennis, too, nearly the equal of Williams in every facet.

Nearly.

Erasing an early deficit at Centre Court, Williams got past Azarenka 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 Tuesday with the help of 17 aces and a remarkable ratio of 46 winners to 12 unforced errors.

“It’s been up and down, up and down, but somehow I’m still alive. I don’t know how,” Williams said, who twice was two points from losing to Britain’s Heather Watson in the third round and is now 14-0 in three-setters and 37-1 overall in 2015.

“Definitely no secrets between each other’s games,” Sharapova said. Williams, whose major trophy count is at 20, said of the matchup: “I look forward to it.”

The other semifinal is No. 13 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland against No. 20 Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Radwanska, the 2012 runner-up, eliminated No. 21 Madison Keys of the United States 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-3. Muguruza reached her first major semifinal by defeating No. 15 Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland 7-5, 6-3.

Radwanska compiled 13 winners, 35 fewer than the big-hitting Keys. But on the flip side was this statistic: Radwanska made seven unforced errors, Keys 40.

Just as Keys pushed Radwanska, the 47th-ranked Vandeweghe gave Sharapova all she could handle, especially in the second set, building a 19-5 edge in winners. Soaking it all in during her first Grand Slam quarterfinal — it was Sharapova’s 23rd — Vandeweghe repeatedly waved her arms after significant points, motioning to spectators to make more noise and be less, well, genteel.

“I relished it pretty well. I enjoyed my experience. I enjoyed the crowd out there,” Vandeweghe said, whose grandfather and uncle were NBA players and grandmother was a Miss America. “I didn’t enjoy the result too much.”

That’s because Sharapova, so passive in the second set, turned it on at the end, claiming the final three games.

Similarly, Williams was too good in the late going. From 2-all in the second set, Williams went about 45 minutes without dropping a game, taking that set and going ahead 3-0 in the third. Azarenka wouldn’t concede, and even had a break point in the final game. Williams erased that with an ace, one of a half-dozen in her final two service games.

“I mean,” the 33-year-old American said, “that’s my game on grass — just aces.”

Oh, but it’s so much more.

Thumbnail photo via Susan Mullane/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: Associated Press, David Cunningham, Tennis, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/07/serena-williams-squeaks-by-advances-to-wimbledon-semifinals-video/feed/00Tennis: Wimbledon S. Williams vs AzarenkanesndcunninghamLawyer: Aaron Hernandez Low On Cash; ‘There Are No Piles Of Money’http://nesn.com/2015/05/lawyer-aaron-hernandez-low-on-cash-there-are-no-piles-of-money/
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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Former NFL player and convicted killer Aaron Hernandez is running out of money after hiring a platoon of lawyers for all his criminal cases, his attorney said.

Attorney John Fitzpatrick told a judge in New Bedford on Thursday that Hernandez was paid for only one year of his now-terminated $40 million contract with the New England Patriots.

“Despite some pretty wild and baseless speculative allegations made about piles of money, there are no piles of money,” Fitzpatrick said.

In addition to paying lawyers, Fitzpatrick said, Hernandez is supporting his fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins, and the couple’s 2-year-old daughter.

Hernandez was convicted last month of the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée. Lloyd’s mother, Ursula Ward, has sued Hernandez, and her lawyers are trying to track down his assets. Court records indicate Ward could be awarded more than $5 million in the case.

In court Thursday, Moses ordered a 60-day extension of a restraining order barring Hernandez from selling his 2005 Hummer and keeping the money. Ward’s attorneys filed a temporary restraining order after the vehicle turned up for sale at a used car lot in Wrentham, Mass.

The judge advised attorneys for Ward and Hernandez to come to an agreement on the sale of the vehicle, and he ordered that the proceeds be held by the court. A status conference on the sale of the vehicle was scheduled for July 20.

Ward’s attorneys have placed an attachment on Hernandez’s $1.3 million house in North Attleboro, meaning it cannot be sold without them being notified.

Fitzpatrick told the judge he didn’t know whether Jenkins and her daughter were still living in the home.

Ward’s attorney, Douglas Sheff, said after the hearing that the next step is filing a motion for discovery to learn more about Hernandez’s assets. Sheff said the Hummer was the “tip of the iceberg.”

“If he has someone working on his behalf for a vehicle, imagine what he could be doing with millions of dollars. We really need to find out where things are now,” Sheff said.

In a separate hearing Thursday in Boston, Hernandez pleaded not guilty to a witness intimidation charge prosecutors say is related to a 2012 double murder he’s also charged in.

Thumbnail photo via Brian Snyder/Associated Press (Pool)

Filed under: Associated Press, New England Patriots, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/05/lawyer-aaron-hernandez-low-on-cash-there-are-no-piles-of-money/feed/00Aaron HernandeznesnstaffJohn Wall’s Hand, Wrist Broken In Five Places; Playing Status Uncertainhttp://nesn.com/2015/05/john-walls-hand-wrist-broken-in-five-places-playing-status-uncertain/
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WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards say All-Star guard John Wall suffered five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand, and his playing status has not been determined.

Wall was hurt in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks. Initial X-rays were negative, but “multiple examinations” on Wednesday revealed the injuries, the team announced Thursday.

Washington hosts Atlanta for Game 3 on Saturday. The Hawks won Game 2 to even the series at 1-1.

Though he practiced following Sunday’s series-opening win in Atlanta, Wall was a surprise inactive for Game 2 Tuesday. With his left wrist noticeably swollen, the point guard struggled with various drills during pregame warm-ups.

The Wizards added they and Wall are consulting with multiple physicians and specialists to determine the best course of action.

Brady is scheduled to be interviewed by sportscaster Jim Gray during a previously scheduled event at Salem State University.

The report by NFL-appointed investigator Ted Wells issued Wednesday concluded that two New England Patriots employees violated rules covering game balls and that Brady was “at least generally aware” of plans to doctor the footballs to his liking.

Brady’s agent, Don Yee, says the NFL was determined to blame Brady for deflated footballs in the 45-7 win over Indianapolis in the AFC title game, and the investigation omitted key facts and buried others.

The Patriots canceled prior plans to make two players available to reporters during voluntary team workouts held at the team’s headquarters, then said nobody with the team would be available Thursday. The team didn’t respond to requests from The Associated Press seeking comment from Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who was exonerated in the report.

Wells concluded there was no plausible explanation for the deflated footballs besides deliberate tampering. Text messages to and about Brady led to the conclusions that he was aware, if not more actively involved, in the scheme.

The NFL is now using Wells’ findings as it considers potential punishment. Brady, the MVP of the 2015 Super Bowl, could be fined or face a suspension. The Patriots are scheduled to play their opener against the Steelers in the kickoff game of the NFL regular season Sept. 10.

The Internet domain giant has decided to pull its sponsorship of Patrick’s No. 10 Chevrolet, which is fielded by Stewart-Haas Racing.

The 33-year-old Patrick is in the final year of her contract at SHR and landing a primary sponsor could be key to her NASCAR future.

GoDaddy wants to sign her to a personal services contract but will no longer sponsor her car after this season.

“We love Danica and all she does to empower and inspire people, especially women, which is why we are working to keep her in the GoDaddy family,” Phil Bienert, chief marketing officer at GoDaddy, said. “The fact Danica is having a record-setting season makes it tough to leave this motorsports sponsorship, without a doubt.”

Thumbnail photo via Peter Casey/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: Associated Press, NASCAR, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/04/danica-patrick-to-lose-godaddy-as-car-sponsor-nascar-future-in-doubt/feed/00Danica PatricknesnstaffChelsea Survives Chippy Draw With Arsenal, Nears Premier League Titlehttp://nesn.com/2015/04/chelsea-survives-chippy-draw-with-arsenal-nears-premier-league-title/
http://nesn.com/2015/04/chelsea-survives-chippy-draw-with-arsenal-nears-premier-league-title/#respondSun, 26 Apr 2015 18:18:41 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=469259Read More »]]>LONDON — Chelsea’s pursuit of the Premier League trophy will go into May after the runaway leaders drew 0-0 at Arsenal on Sunday with a cautious, ultra-defensive display.

By protecting a 10-point lead over Manchester City and Arsenal, Chelsea can secure its first title in five years by beating Leicester on Wednesday and Crystal Palace next Sunday.

“It’s a big step to where we want to go,” Chelsea captain John Terry said. “We nullified them, we played very well … and we came and gave it a go.”

However, the draw was marred for Chelsea by Brazilian playmaker Oscar being taken to the hospital after a heavy collision with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina. Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said Oscar “went to (the) hospital to make some scans to see what is going on.”

Asked if Oscar had suffered a concussion in the collision, Mourinho said: “I don’t know.”

Chelsea was frustrated to have three penalty appeals rejected in the first half at Emirates Stadium, two involving Oscar and then one when Cesc Fabregas was booked for diving. But Terry later said referee Michael Oliver “probably got them right.”

Fabregas sent the ball through to Oscar for the game’s early controversy in the 15th minute. Oscar hooked the ball over Ospina and — as Hector Bellerin headed it clear from the goal line — the Arsenal goalkeeper clattered into the midfielder.

Oscar lay flat on the pitch after the incident and received treatment. He played out the rest of the half before being replaced, and there was no immediate information on his injury. No penalty was awarded, much to the apparent annoyance of some Chelsea players, given Bellerin already had fouled Oscar in the penalty area.

Fabregas later was booked for diving when he went down under a slight touch from Santi Cazorla. Arsenal appealed for a penalty when Cazorla’s shot hit the raised arm of Gary Cahill while the defender on the field.

Photo via Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Filed under: Associated Press, Premier League, Soccer, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/04/chelsea-survives-chippy-draw-with-arsenal-nears-premier-league-title/feed/00nesnjhathawayBritain Socccer Premier LeagueAdam Silver ‘On The Fence’ On Hack-A-Player Intentional Fouling In NBAhttp://nesn.com/2015/04/adam-silver-on-the-fence-over-hack-a-player-intentional-fouling-strategy/
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NEW YORK — NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday he was “on the fence” about intentional fouling away from the ball and expects the league to be “very engaged” about the tactic over the coming months.

One day after the San Antonio Spurs sent the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan to the free-throw line 17 times in a playoff victory, Silver said he once favored a rule change but now isn’t pushing for one.

“I’ve gone back and forth,” Silver said during a meeting with a group of Associated Press Sports Editors. “I’ve sat in meetings with some of the greatest players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird who said that players should learn to make their free throws and it’s part of the game. At the same time, it doesn’t make for great television, so I’m on the fence right now.”

Silver said he finds it to be a “fascinating” strategy in some cases.

“But in other games I watch it and I think, ‘Oh my god, I feel people changing the channels,'” he said. “So we’re also an entertainment property that’s competing against a lot of other options that people have for their discretionary time.”

Coaches use the strategy to disrupt an opposing team by fouling a poor free-throw shooter, playing the percentages that he won’t make both shots. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has said he doesn’t like the way it looks, but he has used it against Shaquille O’Neal — against whom it got the nickname Hack-a-Shaq — and now against the Clippers’ Jordan, who went 6 of 17 on Wednesday in San Antonio’s 111-107 overtime victory.

Abolishing the tactic, also used against Dwight Howard, has been discussed before, but coaches wanted the option to use it. Silver said he expects it to be discussed by general managers at their meeting in May and by the competition committee in June.

Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: Associated Press, NBA, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/04/adam-silver-on-the-fence-over-hack-a-player-intentional-fouling-strategy/feed/00Adam SilvernesnstaffHawks’ Thabo Sefolosha’s Leg Broken In Nightclub Arrest; Season Over (Video)http://nesn.com/2015/04/hawks-thabo-sefoloshas-leg-broken-in-nightclub-arrest-season-over/
http://nesn.com/2015/04/hawks-thabo-sefoloshas-leg-broken-in-nightclub-arrest-season-over/#respondFri, 10 Apr 2015 14:08:20 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=463009Read More »]]>ATLANTA — Atlanta forward Thabo Sefolosha will miss the Hawks’ final four regular-season games and the postseason because of a fractured right fibula and ligament damage suffered when he and teammate Pero Antic were arrested early Wednesday in New York.

The Hawks confirmed Sefolosha’s injury Thursday and said he will need surgery. The Swiss player was limping following the arrest.

“This is a very difficult situation for Thabo and our thoughts and support will be with him during his recovery,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said in a statement. “We know that his approach and dedication will serve him well in his rehabilitation. Our team remains focused and will be prepared as we head into the postseason.”

Sefolosha’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said Wednesday the forward was injured during the arrest, which followed the stabbings of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman on the street near a Manhattan nightclub.

Sefolosha and Antic were released without bail after they were charged with obstructing governmental authority and disorderly conduct. Spiro said the two did not commit a crime and he expects the charges to be dismissed.

The Hawks held out Sefolosha and Antic in Wednesday night’s 114-111 win at the Brooklyn Nets and haven’t said when Antic will return.

Budenholzer said Wednesday the team would support Sefolosha and Antic during the investigation, though he added “we never want to see our players put themselves in a potentially negative situation.”

“We will continue to look into the facts of the incident but with the information and foundation that we currently have established, we will support them through this process,” Budenholzer said in a statement.

Sefolosha and Antic also released a joint statement Wednesday in which they apologized “to our respective families, teammates, and the Hawks organization for any negative attention this incident has brought upon them.”

Video of Sefolosha’s and Antic’s arrests can be seen below.

Warning: Graphic language.

Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: Associated Press, NBA, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/04/hawks-thabo-sefoloshas-leg-broken-in-nightclub-arrest-season-over/feed/00Thabo SefoloshanesnstaffJudge Bars TV Cameraman From Aaron Hernandez Trial For Following Jurorshttp://nesn.com/2015/04/judge-bars-tv-cameraman-from-aaron-hernandez-trial-for-following-jurors/
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FALL RIVER, Mass. — A photographer for a Boston TV station was banned from the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez on Thursday after he acknowledged following jurors to their parking spots, which the judge said was prohibited.

On the third day of deliberations, Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh banned Robert Cusanelli of WHDH-TV from the courthouse.

“He cannot come into this building or be driving a WHDH vehicle for the purpose of doing reporting work on this case,” Garsh said from the bench after Cusanelli testified under oath.

Two jurors informed the court Thursday morning that they saw someone watching them in a Ford Explorer. One took a picture of its license plate.

Cusanelli was questioned in court by a lawyer for the station and acknowledged that he followed the jurors, saying he made the decision to do so on his own to find out where jurors were parking. He said he didn’t talk to the jurors, didn’t take their picture or write down their license plate numbers and at the time thought he wasn’t doing anything wrong.

“I see now that it was a mistake,” he said.

The station also said in a statement before Cusanelli testified that it “did not approach any juror or talk to any juror. We also did not videotape or take pictures of any juror. We are continuing to work with the court and investigate the situation.”

Jurors have deliberated for nearly 16 hours over three days, and as of Thursday afternoon, they had sent six notes asking questions such as clarification about the weapon and ammunition possession charges Hernandez faces, and requesting a list of the 439 exhibits. They were scheduled to return to court Friday at 9 a.m. and will end the day early at 1 p.m. because of scheduling issues if they have not reached a verdict by then, Garsh said.

Hernandez is charged with the June 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancée’s sister. He was found shot six times in an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez’s home.

The judge said following jurors was a serious matter and a potential felony that could have resulted in a mistrial. She had said if no one from WHDH testified under oath about what happened, she would ban the entire station.

Garsh also issued a written order that no one shall approach, follow, contact, harass, photograph or take down the license plates of jurors, and then had the order distributed to members of the media assembled at the courthouse.

Thumbnail photo via Brian Snyder, Pool/Associated Press

Filed under: Associated Press, Michaela Vernava, New England Patriots, NFL, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/04/judge-bars-tv-cameraman-from-aaron-hernandez-trial-for-following-jurors/feed/00Aaron HernandeznesnstaffJudge: TV Station Must Testify Or Be Banned From Aaron Hernandez Trialhttp://nesn.com/2015/04/judge-tv-station-must-testify-or-be-banned-from-aaron-hernandez-trial/
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FALL RIVER, Mass. — The judge in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez said Thursday a TV station would be banned from the courthouse unless someone testifies under oath about what happened when a station worker allegedly followed two jurors.

The jurors told Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh on Thursday morning that they were followed by employees of Boston station WHDH-TV the previous day, their second day of deliberations.

Garsh said it was a serious matter and a felony and could have resulted in a mistrial.

The station said in a statement it “did not approach any juror or talk to any juror. We also did not videotape or take pictures of any juror.”

The judge gave the station until 12:15 p.m. to have the driver or a higher-up testify about what happened.

“I’d like the person in the van to tell me whether anyone in the company directed him,” Garsh said.

If the driver wants to assert his Fifth Amendment right not to testify, “At a minimum I want someone from the company to say what investigation they’ve done,” she said.

She said if that did not happen, she had no choice but to draw the inference he was directed by the station to follow the jurors.

Garsh also banned the driver, who has not been identified, from being anywhere near the courthouse, and said she was issuing a written order that no one shall approach, follow, contact, harass, photograph or take down the license plates of jurors.

Hernandez is charged with the June 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancée’s sister.

Filed under: Associated Press, New England Patriots, NFL, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/04/judge-tv-station-must-testify-or-be-banned-from-aaron-hernandez-trial/feed/00nesnstaffPacers’ Chris Copeland Apologizes For ‘Bad Choice’ Leading To Stabbinghttp://nesn.com/2015/04/pacers-chris-copeland-apologizes-for-bad-choice-leading-to-stabbing/
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INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland apologized for making a “bad choice” and promised to work toward a full recovery after being stabbed outside a New York nightclub early Wednesday.

The team provided an update Thursday, saying Copeland is in stable condition following surgery on his abdomen and left elbow. The Pacers say there is no timetable for Copeland to be released.

On Thursday, Copeland thanked teammates, the organization and Pacers fans for their support while acknowledging he should not have been out that late the night before a game.

Copeland’s girlfriend and another woman also were stabbed. A 22-year-old suspect was in custody.

Two Atlanta Hawks players, Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha, were arrested for allegedly obstructing authorities. Their attorney expects charges to be dismissed.

While team owners didn’t vote on any extra-point proposals Wednesday, there was so much discussion and interest in potential changes that the issue will be a main focal point for the next set of league meetings in May. In the meantime, co-chairman Rich McKay said his competition committee would “develop alternatives and be ready for a potential vote” in two months in San Francisco.

Among the possibilities are moving the line of scrimmage back for PAT kicks; placing the ball on the 1 1/2-yard line for a 2-point conversion; eliminating the PAT kicks entirely, requiring teams to run a play from scrimmage; and allowing the defense to score, as in college football, if the ball is turned over on a 2-point try.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jake Locker decided to retire from football rather than hit free agency after four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, saying he no longer has the “burning desire” needed to keep playing the game for a living.

Locker wrote Tuesday in a statement released through his agent, Camron Hahn, that he decided to retire from the NFL at age 26 after talking with his family. Locker officially became a free agent when his contract expired Tuesday.

“Football has always played a pivotal role in my life and I love the game, but I no longer have the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living,” Locker said in the statement. “To continue to do so would be unfair to the next organization with whom I would eventually sign. I realize this decision is surprising to many, but I know in my heart that it is the right decision, and I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests.”

The Titans drafted Locker with the eighth pick overall out of Washington in 2011, but he was benched last October. He played behind Matt Hasselbeck in his first season, then was named the starter for 2012. But Locker missed 14 of his first 32 potential starts because of injuries, and the Titans declined to pick up his 2015 option with a new coach in Ken Whisenhunt.

Locker played in just seven games with five starts in 2014 because of separate injuries before Whisenhunt benched him for rookie Zach Mettenberger.

Locker played in 30 games in his career, starting 23, and threw for 4,967 yards and 27 touchdowns with 22 interceptions and a career 57.5 completion percentage. The mobile quarterback also averaged 6.8 yards per carry and ran for 644 yards with five TDs.

UPDATED (6:54 p.m.): The Eagles and Rams both confirmed the trade, with Philadelphia detailing that it also gave up a 2015 fourth-round pick and 2016 second-round selection for Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round choice. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles would receive a 2016 third-round pick if Bradford doesn’t play in 2015 and a 2016 fourth-rounder if he starts on less than 50 percent of the plays.

The Seahawks and New Orleans Saints agreed to a trade Tuesday, sending Graham to Seattle in exchange for veteran center Max Unger, pending a physical. The trade also is expected to include Seattle sending its first-round draft pick this year to the Saints and the Seahawks receiving New Orleans’ fourth-round selection.

Adding pass-catching options for Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson appeared to be an offseason priority. But rather than going into free agency, the Seahawks went after one of the top pass catchers in the NFL, regardless of position, and a perennial Pro Bowl tight end.

Fox Sports first reported the trade discussions.

Graham is a former college basketball player who played one year of college football at Miami before the Saints drafted him in the third round in 2010. He became the favorite target of Drew Brees in just his second season, with 99 catches for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns, which led the Saints in all three categories.

Graham has yet to match his 2011 numbers since, but he still led New Orleans last season with 85 receptions and 10 TDs despite playing through an injured shoulder. His 889 receiving yards were third on the team.

Graham held out before the start of last season before signing a four-year, $40 million contract extension rather than playing under the franchise tag. Seattle will inherit the remaining three years on that contract.

Unger has been the Seahawks’ starting center since his rookie season, but he has been slowed by injuries. Unger played in just six regular-season games while suffering from ankle and foot injuries. Unger was an All-Pro in 2012 and was a big reason why Seattle had the NFL’s top rushing offense.

UPDATE (7 p.m.): The Seahawks and Saints both confirmed the trade. The teams also confirmed that Seattle would receive a fourth-round draft pick in next month’s draft while New Orleans would receive a first-round selection (31st overall).

Thumbnail photo via John Bazemore/Associated Press

Filed under: Associated Press, NFL, Seattle Seahawks, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/03/report-jimmy-graham-traded-from-saints-to-seahawks-pending-physical/feed/00nesnjhathawayPhillies’ Cliff Lee To Undergo Elbow Surgery; Season, Possibly Career, Overhttp://nesn.com/2015/03/phillies-cliff-lee-to-undergo-elbow-surgery-season-possibly-career-over/
http://nesn.com/2015/03/phillies-cliff-lee-to-undergo-elbow-surgery-season-possibly-career-over/#respondMon, 09 Mar 2015 20:05:47 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=452016Read More »]]>
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee is awaiting a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews on his ailing left elbow and says surgery would end his season and possibly his career.

The 36-year-old left-hander didn’t pitch after July 31 last year because of a left flexor pronator strain. He said his left elbow felt normal as he threw two scoreless innings Thursday against Houston in his spring training debut, but he felt discomfort the following day. An MRI on Sunday revealed “very mild inflammation,” according to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Lee and the Phillies hoped to hear back from Andrews later Monday or on Tuesday. Lee realizes surgery would have major ramifications on his career.

“It’d be six to eight months out,” Lee said Monday. “So, basically, if I have the surgery, this season will be done, possibly my career, I guess. I don’t know. We’ll have to see.”

Lee is entering the final guaranteed season of a five-year, $120 million contract. The deal includes a $27.5 million team option for 2016 with a $12.5 million buyout, a year that would become guaranteed if he pitches at least 200 innings this year and he is not on the disabled list at the end of the season due to a left elbow or shoulder injury.

“Obviously, very disappointing with all the stuff I did in the offseason to prevent something like this from happening,” Lee said Monday. “It’s frustrating. There’s still a possibility it’s scar tissue and it’s normal, but there’s also the possibility it’s coming back and that’s very frustrating. I just know I did everything to prevent it.”